STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN FAITH-BASED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: NAVIGATING GOVERNANCE, PEDAGOGY AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Abstract

Faith-based educational institutions have a distinctive role when spirituality comes together with governance and educational goals of the organization. The current study considers how principles of strategic leadership help faith-based educational institutions to shift their governance practices, learning techniques as well as interpretations of educational excellence. The research is based on mingled research methods with qualitative data obtained from the interviews with educators of the faith-based educational institutions in combination with quantitative data acquired from various types of surveys and institutional documents. The results provide evidence that effective governance of faith-based educational institutions requires the introduction of transparency into the decision-making processes; collaboration, and synchronization in reaching the objectives of the organization. In terms of teaching approaches applied in faith-based educational establishments the research detected that these methods will work fine only if various principles founded in faith are included in them. Besides the educational excellence could be reached not only through the curricula and assessment systems but also through the capability of the leadership to create the environment of collaboration, accountability and permanent improvement. The implications of faith-based Education are great importance for Policy Makers, school administrators, school leaders and instructors to make stronger institutional effectiveness while remaining factual to their faith-inspired mission.